Everton have just made £30m transfer blunder after Small reveal – Kenny
Everton may have lost out on £30million by failing to tie Thierry Small down to a new contract and letting him quit for Southampton.
So says ex-Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after Small’s exit was confirmed on 24 August.
This site revealed earlier that day that Southampton had won the race to sign the 17-year-old after he cancelled his scholarship at Everton.
Small rebuffed the Toffees every time they attempted to hand him a new deal.
The Saints beat multiple Premier League clubs in the hunt for the left-back and it is understood they may pay up to £5m in compensation.
But Kenny claims that the youngster could be worth up to six times that figure if he fulfils his potential at St. Mary’s.
He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “I know he has turned down contract offers, but I’m shocked Everton have allowed him to leave.
“He could potentially be worth £20m or £30m in years to come. We don’t know exactly what’s happened.
“He’s only 17 so we don’t know what sort of player he’s going to be in the future for definite.”
“Maybe Southampton have seen something they really like and Everton haven’t. But he’s obviously a talented boy.”
Small became Everton’s youngest player when he made his debut in the FA Cup fourth round against Sheffield Wednesday in January.
That remains the youngster’s only senior appearance to date.
In other news, ex-manager makes “amazing” claim as Everton swoop for Seamus Coleman successor.